| Prachi Desai's ouster from Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa has stumped the Balaji camp, however she might be back on the show as a wild card entry Ekta Kapoor is angry that's never good news for anyone. And this time, she's joined by her mom Shobha and her dad Jeetendra. They are all taken aback by Balaji's favourite actress, Prachi Desai's (Bani of Kasam Se) ouster from Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa on Saturday.
A channel source explains, "Gujarat has been a major voting base for Prachi but since it was Diwali night, not many people watched the Sony show.
As a result, the votes didn't come in. Also, power voting (where friends and family members of one contestant send SMSes from different SIM cards) seems to be Bani's undoing."
Change in format
Jhalak is produced by Siddharth Basu's Synergy Adlabs Media Limited alongside BBC Worldwide who own the original format. Synergy is now having talks with BBC Worldwide about the possibility of changing the format of the show and bring in a wild card entry to facilitate Prachi's return.
Says the source, "It was a call from the raging Balaji head honcho that is responsible for these damage control measures."
Ekta denies speaking to the channel but says, "I am shocked and upset at Prachi's ouster." When asked about the possibility of Prachi returning as a wild card entry, she adds, "I would request the viewers to vote for Prachi and bring her back. I am feeling terrible for her. Even mom (Shobha) had tears in her eyes when she heard that Prachi was out."
Shobha Kapoor still can't believe her blue-eyed-girl is out, "I am stunned and disappointed. She is a sincere dancer and very talented; she was one of the frontrunners to win the title."
According to an onlooker, Jeetendra, who is also a judge on the show, stormed out of the sets when Prachi's ouster was announced. Jeetendra, however, says, "I didn't walk out of the sets but I was very upset. I've heard even the organisers (Synergy) are disturbed about Prachi's ouster. They are trying for a wild card entry. I hope they do something and send out the right message. Prachi is a deserving candidate. This is not the right way to end for someone with her potential. It's very discouraging."
Power voting
Siddharth Basu admits that power voting is a reality. "Power voting is a problem but Sony and the auditors monitor it. We have a fair system based where there is a limit on number of votes sent by a single SIM card. But with Prachi's ouster, we were sitting with our heads in our hands what do we do?"
About the wild card entry, he says, "We miss those who were eliminated but public demand really needs to be reflected in the votes! And any innovation in format needs to have the consent of BBC. At the moment, the format doesn't allow it but if ever introduced, it won't be for just Prachi but all the contestants. "
Depressing time
Meanwhile Prachi is totally depressed. "I wasn't expecting it at all. It's a big shock I have got. I don't know why it happened and what went wrong. Since yesterday, I have been getting phone getting calls and messages from people saying I shouldn't have been voted out."
Prachi wishes she had indulged in power voting as a safety net. "If I would have done that, I would be safe by now."
http://mid-day.com/hitlist/2007/november/166749.htm |
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